Pause, Play, and Lead with H.O.P.E. ✨
Hey Leaders,
I still remember the first time I gave myself permission to slow down. No agenda. No to-do list. Just a quiet moment to breathe and ask, “What do I need right now?”
It wasn’t easy. As an educator, leader, and mom, I was used to showing up for everyone else first. But the truth is—when we keep pouring from an empty cup, even the best intentions run dry. That moment became a turning point for me. I realized that caring for others starts with caring for me—mind, body, and spirit.
Each week, usually on Fridays, I get to practice that lesson in the most unexpected classroom—my time with my three grandsons. We play hide and seek, race toy cars, color pictures, and explore the park. What started as a routine visit has become something deeper. These little boys are teaching me a lesson I didn’t know I needed: we all need to make time for play.
Somewhere along the way, adulthood taught us that play is optional. But it’s not. It’s essential. Play boosts creativity, reduces stress, and strengthens our relationships through laughter and joy. It brings us back to curiosity, connection, and that spark of wonder we so easily lose in the busyness of life.
So here’s my gentle reminder—dance in your kitchen, try a new hobby, join that pickleball league, or host a game night. Whether it’s five minutes of silliness or a full weekend adventure, play rekindles joy, connection, and resilience.
✨ Give yourself permission to play—and to invest in yourself, mind, body, and spirit.
Because you are the best investment you’ll ever make.
That’s why this week, I’m sharing two free virtual resources designed to help you refill your cup and rediscover your spark:
💫 A Coaching Cohort for Educator Moms—a safe, empowering space to learn, grow, and lead with purpose.
🌿 A Virtual Summit filled with practical wisdom, hope, and community for your next season of growth.
You were never meant to do this alone. So here’s your reminder: your well-being matters just as much as your work.
My Friend, Erin Shook, is offering FREE coaching sessions to 3–5 committed participants who are ready to grow, reflect, and take action. This pilot group will meet for weekly one-hour sessions designed to help you build confidence, clarity, and purpose in your leadership journey. If you’re ready to invest in yourself, she’d love to have you apply! And if this sounds like something that could benefit someone you know, please share it forward. 🙌
📅 Apply here: https://forms.gle/Xpk2JTNYoTGJ8wjS8
A Free Event to Transform Your School's Culture of Collaboration
I’m excited to share another incredible free event that I think you’ll find valuable. My colleagues at Jigsaw Learning are hosting the Collaborative Response Virtual Summit on October 24, and you won’t want to miss it.
This free online event is a must-attend for any educator or leader looking for real-world strategies to support students and maximize their team's potential. Instead of theory, you'll hear directly from school and district leaders who are successfully implementing Collaborative Response to create thriving, collaborative cultures.
Here's what you can expect:
Real-World Strategies: Learn from leaders who are putting these frameworks into practice every day.
Practical Insights: Get actionable resources and samples you can use in your own school.
A "Missing Piece": Discover why thousands of schools describe Collaborative Response as the key to a successful multi-tiered system of support (MTSS), as well a logical “next step” to strengthen the work of professional learning communities (PLCs).
It’s completely free, and it’s the perfect opportunity to learn how to build a team that is intentionally focused and ruthlessly organized.
Register for free to save your spot!
✨ Invest in yourself—Mind, Body, and Spirit
Maybe you’ve been feeling it too—that quiet exhaustion that creeps in when your plate keeps filling, but nothing ever seems to come off. You’re showing up, giving your all, but deep down you know something has to shift. It’s time for a reset—a moment to pause, refocus, and realign with what matters most. ✨
That’s exactly why I created The H.O.P.E.-Fueled Leadership Kickstart—a short, powerful private coaching experience designed to help you lead with clarity, confidence, and courage.
Together, we’ll strengthen your decision-making, sharpen your communication, and cultivate meaningful connections that help you lead and live with purpose.
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to invest in you—this is it.
Let’s reset, refocus, and reignite your leadership from the inside out.
💫 Ready to begin? Schedule your free consultation today!
Do you have a H.O.P.E.-fueled story to share? If so, I’d love to hear it—just hit reply and tell me about it today!
Have a wonderful week, and don’t forget to check out the free resources above. You can always reach out to connect with me—I’m excited to walk this journey with you as we build connection, community, and Lead with H.O.P.E.!
With gratitude,
Dr. Brandi Kelly
Spark HOPE Edu
Partner to school and organizational leaders
